During a recent meeting of the Citizens Advisory Committee West, co-chair Hank Beck said he fielded a number of complaints from residents saying that drivers are not observing traffic regulations on Main Street in Westhampton Beach.
The residents argued, he said, that the village's traffic control officers are not authorized to give out moving violations so it "often looks as if they are letting people get away with it on purpose."
Beck said he assured the residents it is not the case.
In fact, according to Lt. Trevor Gonce of the , the police are aware of the situation and are giving out tickets.
Gonce explained that while yes, traffic control officers can't by law give out moving violation violations, they can ticket motorists for parking out of the lines, which is usually the case when people make a u-turn on Main to get into a parking space.
"They usually cross a double line to get in the space," said Gonce, noting that when police officers see a u-turn violation, they will make an effort to ticket the motorist.
So far this summer, Gonce said traffic control officers have given out 63 crossing the line tickets, which carry a $75 fine.
The traffic control officers have also been actively pursing parking violations.
Since Memorial Day weekend, traffic control officers have issued 821 tickets, that carry with them fees from $75 for a basic violation to $330 for parking in a handicap-reserved spot.
According to Gonce, the village police department has two traffic control officers on Main Street and during the busiest portion of the day, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., there are four officers.
Do you think village cops are doing enough to thwart traffic violations on Main Street? Comment below.
